Possibility Complement - Verb + 得、不 + Verb, Adjective
可能补语1 — 动词+得、不+动词、形容词
Possibility complements (可能补语) express if an action is possible: V + 得/不 + complement (看得懂/看不懂).
Structure
Verb + 得 不+ Verb
Elements
得不
How to use it
- Starting Point: Verb + 得.
- Placement: follow the strict order of blocks in the structure, from left to right.
- For 得, take a model sentence like 这个字我看得懂。 (I can understand this character.) and replace only the variable information.
- For 不, take a model sentence like 不会唱歌 (cannot sing) and replace only the variable information.
- After substitution, verify that 了 / 不 / 没 / 吗 remain coherent with the meaning and time of the sentence.
- Context: use this structure to describe facts or actions within a complete sentence.
Examples
这个字我看得懂。
zhège zì wǒ kàn děi dǒng。
I can understand this character.
不会唱歌
bù huì chàng gē
cannot sing
你得早点儿睡
nǐ děi zǎo diǎnr shuì
You should go to bed early
明天我得上班
míngtiān wǒ děi shàng bān
Tomorrow I have to go to work.
Notes and exceptions
- 得 — Complement: Introduces a complement after the verb (说得很好).
- 得 — particle of complement (result; manner). The word "devoir" in French can be used to express obligations, whether they are related to law, rules, or ethics. Common combinations observed: 得 (degree/complement).
- 不 — not... not. The character "不" is used to form negations in Chinese. Common combinations observed: 不 (general negation).
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. 这个字我看____懂。
(I can understand this character.)
2. ____会唱歌
(cannot sing)
3. 你____早点儿睡
(You should go to bed early)
4. 明天我____上班
(Tomorrow I have to go to work.)